CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, 5 September – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE X), together with its attached agencies, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) will enter into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to intensify the campaign against illegal recruitment and human trafficking with the City Government (LGU) of the city on 19 September 2019 at the DOLE-X Activity Center, 3rd Floor Trinidad Building, Corrales Avenue-Yacapin Street, here.

Initiated by the Oro City Government to prevent illegal recruitment activities, the scope of cooperation of the MOA include capability building of LGU partners and local stakeholders, public information and worker education on overseas employment, establishment of OFW help desk, campaign on illegal recruitment, and data collection and management on OFWs and their families.

Republic Act No. 8042, as amended by Republic Act No. 10022, otherwise known as the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995, mandates the LGUs [in partnership with the concerned government agencies] to take proactive stance in disseminating information to their constituents on all aspects of overseas employment.

Prior to the signing, DOLE agencies with the LGU through itsPublic Employment Service Office (PESO) will lead an orientation to barangay captains, policemen, media and the officers of Association of International Recruitment Agencies (AIRA). Discussions will cover the overview of the Anti-Illegal Recruitment Campaign, Law on Illegal Recruitment, modus operandi of illegal recruiters, ten reminders to avoid illegal recruitment, trafficking in persons for labor exploitation, POEA’s legal remedies and services for migrant workers, and the different programs and services of DOLE protecting our migrant workers.